Chilean Authorities have confirmed that fires in heavily forested regions of the south of the country have extended to vineyard sites.

Wines of Chile says: “Reports since the weekend have confirmed that the fires have been particularly fierce in the Maule region and we understand that there has been considerable damage to a number of old vine dry farmed vineyards in this area. Parts of the Colchagua region have also been affected.

“At present Wines of Chile is working hard with the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture to establish which vineyards have suffered from the fires and assess the extent of the damage in order to give the necessary help as soon as possible.”

Chilean president Michelle Bachelet has declared a state of emergency in the regions affected.

Anita Jackson, UK Director of Wines of Chile (pictured) said: “This is a tragic situation, and we feel so helpless here. Those affected are in our thoughts and prayers and we hope that the fires will be brought under control very soon. We are expecting to have a better idea of the situation within the next day or so as it hasn’t been easy to communicate with the wineries in the affected regions.”